umass memorial health care community benefits report 2010...$23.7 m community benefits total $103.7...

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UMass Memorial Health Care Community Benefits Report 2010

For a Healthier Community

UMass Memorial Health Care contributed more than $152.9 million to positively impact the health and well-being of the communities we serve. Our contributions support charity care, subsidized health services, education of health professionals, community-based programming and partnerships, and the University of Massachusetts Medical School. More than $32.1 million was absorbed through bad debt write-offs and Medicare shortfalls.

2010 Contributions to the Community

* Bad debt: Expenses for receivables that can no longer be collected and are written off.** Medicare shortfall: Net loss incurred for the cost of providing services to Medicare patients versus income received from the Medicare program.

UMass Memorial Health Care

WHAT’S INSIDE THE REPORT

1 Letter to the Community 2 Community Benefits Mission 3 Mobilizing Health Care

YOUTH

4 His Recipe for Success 5 Keeping Youth Engaged and Safe 6 Teaching Safety Smarts 7 Pitching Healthy Activities

HEALTHY NEIGHBORHOODS

8 Getting the Lead Out 9 Partnering with the Community 10 Tending the Neighborhood11 Tackling Tobacco

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

12 Planting Their Dream13 Getting Kids Moving 14 Focusing on Healthy Weight15 Now Hear This!

ACCESS TO CARE

16 Finding Peace17 Improving Care for Elders18 Regaining a Healthy Freedom19 Navigating Complex Insurance Enrollment 20 University of Massachusetts Medical School/ UMass Memorial Health Care by the numbers

Bad Debt*$8.4 MUMass

Medical School $17.1 M

Medicare Shortfall**$23.7 M

Community Benefits Total$103.7 million

Other Significant Contributions Total$49.2 million

Health Profession Education$39.5 M

Community Health Programs, Partnerships, Donations,

Community Building$6.0 M

Contributions Associated with

Charity Care$52.3 M

Subsidized Health Services

$5.9 M

Massachusetts City Council limiting tobacco advertising and the sale of tobacco products in pharmacies. A women’s group organized residents to plant a garden, bringing fresh produce into a neighborhood that previously had none.

What follows in this report, are a few program examples of our community impact and the partnerships that are so vital to the work we do. As we enter into a new era of health care, we will continue to partner across our communities to address important health care needs.

John G. O’BrienPresident and CEOUMass Memorial Health Care

I have had the privilege of working in this community for close to ten years. During this time, I have come to know and work closely with many organizations, neighborhood groups and public and government officials. I have witnessed exciting and dramatic changes to our health care system, and the industry as a whole.

Despite these changes, vulnerable populations still have unmet health needs. Critical to our success is the ability to support community programs, develop partnerships and empower disenfranchised groups to create a healthy community. Our programs are making a difference. For example, a youth-driven coalition successfully impacted a policy change approved by the Worcester,

Community Benefits Report 2010

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

1


John O’BrienPresident and CEO

UMass Memorial Medical Center

Walter Ettinger, MDPresident

Clinton Hospital

Sheila DalyPresident and CEO

HealthAlliance Hospital

Patrick MuldoonPresident and CEO

Marlborough Hospital

Douglas BrownInterim President and CEO

Wing Memorial Hospital and

Medical Centers

Charles Cavagnaro III, MDPresident and CEO

2


Most of us understand the requirements of living a healthy lifestyle: choosing nutritious foods, getting enough exercise, avoiding tobacco and alcohol, scheduling regular doctor visits and understanding what to do when we get sick.

For vulnerable populations, factors such as language barriers, poverty and substandard housing conditions can often create an unhealthy neighborhood. Residents don’t know where to seek medical care, how to navigate the health care system or can’t afford it. Lack of activities for teens and young adults, vacant lots and violence can keep people indoors and disengaged from what is happening in their own community.

For each of our five hospitals in the UMass Memorial Health Care system—UMass Memorial Medical Center, Clinton Hospital, HealthAlliance Hospital, Marlborough Hospital and Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers—our community benefits mission is about assessing the broader

For a Healthier Community

UMass Memorial Health Care Community Benefits Statement

“UMass Memorial Health Care

is committed to improving the health

status of all those it serves and to

addressing the health problems of the

poor and other medically underserved

populations. In addition, nonmedical

conditions that negatively impact the

health and wellness of our community

are addressed.”

health status of our geographic areas and developing programs that address the social determinants of health. By involving a wide range of community partners, including nonprofit organizations, city and town government, and residents themselves, neighborhoods are being revitalized and pride is replacing fear and isolation.

Our priority areas include access to health care and elimination of health disparities; healthy weight maintenance and food security; health literacy; community-based health initiatives and coalitions; oral health; neighborhood improvement; positive youth development and public health programs.

We feel a deep, shared responsibility to the communities we serve and are proud of our accomplishments. Through ongoing efforts, we are helping to create jobs, leverage funding, inspire youth, encourage independence and empower all residents to create a safer, healthier environment for everyone.

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Mobilizing Health CareNow in its eleventh year, the UMass Memorial Ronald McDonald Care Mobile provides on-site medical and preventive dental services to hundreds of residents living in 10 low-income Worcester neighborhoods and to children attending 16 inner-city elementary schools.

Through a collaborative effort with Ronald McDonald House Charities, the handicap-accessible clinic is a welcoming entry point to the health care system for the medically underserved, for those with low literacy and limited English, or who may be undocumented or homeless.

The Care Mobile’s nine-person staff treats both children and adults in its medical suite and dental operatory. In addition to a wide variety of exam services, patients receive assistance with insurance enrollment, referrals to other social support services and a solid connection to ongoing care.

The program is made possible through strong collaborations with community organizations including the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Family Health Center and Worcester Public Schools. Our Care Mobile, the first of its kind nationally, will be replaced by a new state-of-the-art vehicle to be put into service in 2012, ensuring access to quality neighborhood-based medical and dental care for years to come.


Ronald McDonald Care Mobile2010 statistics12,382 patient visits

Care Mobile servicesBlood pressure screenings Fluoride varnish, sealants and prophylaxisHealth education and advocacyHealth insurance enrollment Immunizations and lab testsOral health screenings Oral hygiene instructionPhysical exams Referrals to social support services Well-child and adolescent care

Care Mobile stopsAutumn Woods public housingBecker neighborhoodBell Pond neighborhoodFriendly HouseGreen Island Neighborhood CenterLakeside public housingPlumley VillageSouth Worcester Neighborhood CenterYMCA of Central MassachusettsWorcester Youth Center

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Why is this important?

UMass Memorial provides funding and in-kind support for the Worcester Youth Center and values the importance of keeping young people active, preventing violence and developing their life coping skills.

Worcester Youth Center statistics770 youth participants98 percent live at or below the poverty line62 percent are male; 38 percent female110 completed work readiness training; with 61 percent employed for at least eight weeks

Culinary Arts program certificationsServe Safe Food SafetyFood Production ManageFirstMassachusetts Food Equipment and Safety Training (FEAST)

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterCentral Region Department of Youth Services Community Re-Entry CenterGreater Worcester Community FoundationQuinsigamond Community CollegeUnited Way of Central Massachusetts Worcester Senior Center

“This program makes education come alive through experiential training. Students try new things, learn from their mistakes and gain confidence that will carry them forward in life.”

Patricia Hutchinson, Quinsigamond Community College, Hotel and Restaurant Management

Gerard, 18, is a junior at South High School. He is one of about a dozen young adults in the culinary arts program at the Worcester Youth Center.

Gerard: “I have been in the program for 5 months. I was looking to try something new and was inspired when I learned that my dad, who died nine years ago, also wanted to become a chef. Cooking gives me skills I can use at home and potentially at work. Our class meets for three hours, twice a week at the Worcester Senior Center. The first half, we work toward three certifications and review recipes. The rest of the time is spent preparing meals.

“We make soups, snacks, main dishes and desserts. We also learn new techniques and knife skills. The class is taught by Pat Hutchinson, a professor in the Hotel and Restaurant Management Department of Quinsigamond Community College. When you are cooking, it’s important to use exact measurements, and follow the written recipe as well as directions from the teachers. Knowing how to cook is handy at home, too. My mom works, and sometimes my older sister and I cook for the family. I have learned how to follow directions and take my work seriously. We have rules, like keeping the kitchen clean. The Worcester Youth Center gives kids the opportunity to go somewhere in life, and keeps them off the streets. I would probably have gotten in trouble if I hadn’t come here. It gives us a place to meet friends and do something positive.”

His Recipe for Success

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Keeping Youth Engaged and Safe

Building Brighter Futures For Youth program.

In Worcester, more than 1,200 summer and year-round jobs were coordinated by the Youth Opportunities Office. The work suits a variety of skill levels and interests including parks cleanup and landscaping, Wheels to Water swim program coordination/life guarding, and other placements. In addition, UMass Memorial financially supports the staffing and operations of the Youth Opportunities Office.

Youth employment increases self-esteem and independence, keeps youth away from crime, reduces violence, and contributes to increased wealth and community engagement as they reach adulthood.

The City of Worcester Youth Opportunities Office was established three years ago in response to a critical need for coordinated employment and pre-employment activities for at-risk inner city youth. Working with a state-funded summer program—YouthWorks—and local funding, the office partners with nonprofit and for-profit organizations to create jobs. The Worcester Community Action Council is contracted to coordinate and recruit employers, teens and young adults, ages 14-21.

UMass Memorial Medical Center has taken the lead in this effort. As chair of the Youth Advisory Committee, John O’Brien, president and CEO, has strongly backed the initiative with nearly a quarter-million dollars in funding and 230 youth jobs through the

“We are always looking to local employers for expanded youth opportunity and matching funds. UMass Memorial has been that match since the beginning. We are so grateful.”Jesse Edwards, Director of the City ofWorcester Youth Opportunities Office

StatisticsMore than 1,200 youth were employed406 through YouthWorks230 through UMass Memorial Medical Center151 through Wheels to Water

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterCity of Worcester Department of Parks and RecreationCommonwealth of MassachusettsLocal collegesPrivate foundationsUniversity of Massachustts Medical SchoolWheels to WaterWorcester Community Action CouncilWorcester Police Department Gang UnitYouthWorks (Massachusetts)Other local nonprofit and for-profit businesses

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Every year, 65 percent of the trauma admissions to UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center are due to falls, sports injuries and motor vehicle crashes, most of them preventable. Children’s Medical Center physicians are hoping to change all that through an innovative exhibit that simulates 80 real-life safety situations at home and in the neighborhood.

Developed by Michael Hirsh, MD, and Mariann Manno, MD, the new Mobile Safety Street vehicle pairs a custom-designed bright yellow school bus with a safety education trailer, each filled with kid-friendly, interactive displays of potential dangers. Inside, the trailer offers a realistic home environment where accidents

are most likely to occur—on the stairs, in the bathtub and near the stove—as well as memorable demonstrations of hazards posed by inadequately secured furniture, medicines and firearms. Outside, collapsible panels open out to create a 20 by 30 foot two-thirds scale streetscape with a crosswalk, working traffic lights, downed power lines, barking dogs and strangers.

In its first year, Mobile Safety Street made 50 visits to schools and events. More than 3,000 preschoolers and fifth graders went through the curriculum. Fifth grade students who participated in the program increased their safety knowledge and retained it longer than students who learned similar skills in the classroom.

Mariann Manno, MD, Division Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, “Mobile Safety Street builds awareness of the most common hazards involving children. We expect to see fewer kids in our emergency and trauma rooms because of this kind of family safety education.”

Mobile Safety Street topicsBus safety and street smartsFire preventionGang and abduction riskGun safety at homeHome safetyPedestrian and bike safetyPoison prevention

Partial list of partnersUMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center/ Injury Prevention CenterUMass Memorial Pediatric Trauma CenterGovernor’s Highway Safety BureauMassachusetts State PoliceOffice of the District AttorneyPediatric Nurse ConsortiumWorcester Department of Public Health Worcester Juvenile Court SystemWorcester Police Department Worcester Public Schools Worcester Public Works and Parks Department

Michael Hirsh, MD, division chief of pediatric surgery and trauma, and Dr. Mariann Manno are co-chairs of the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, Worcester. Mobile Safety Street is based on successful stationary programs in New York City and Pittsburgh. Teaching Safety Smarts

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Brian Newton has been a Clinton Minor League board member for more than 17 years, and its president for most of that time. He has helped thousands of youth to keep fit through America’s favorite pastime. “In small communities like Clinton, where resources are limited,” he said, “we need the support of our families, the Town and organizations like Clinton Hospital to make this fun and healthy physical activity available to kids. If we don’t do it, who will?”

The independent league in this former mill town fields 25 baseball teams that encompass more than 300 boys and girls, ages four to 10. It offers an affordable program for many who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to play. About 18 percent received scholarship assistance for all or part of the $60 per child/$95 per family registration fee.

Every adult, from coaches to umpires, is a volunteer. “To put together a program for 42 years—with T-ball, coach-pitch and AAA level—shows our commitment. It sets us apart.”

Everybody plays and can try different positions. Most go from having no baseball skills to having confidence on the field. Mr. Newton continued, “A kid’s first hit or run is one of the greatest memories for a player and coach.”

Pitching Healthy Activities Clinton, Massachusetts statisticsMore than 13,600 residents87.1 percent Caucasian3.5 percent Black or African American1.3 percent Asian13.6 percent are of Latino descent28 percent of households have children under 18 years oldMore than 5 percent of children live below the poverty line

Clinton Minor League statistics324 players18 percent received scholarship assistance

PartnersClinton HospitalClinton Public SchoolsTown of ClintonLocal families and businesses

Brian Newton, President of the

Clinton Minor League,

“Kids are kids. If you present them with an activity where they can have good healthy fun, they will choose it.”

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Getting the Lead Out

Vu Nguyen, 16, is a student at Worcester Technical High School and founding member of Youth in Charge. This group for Bell Hill teens advocates for social and environmental justice in their neighborhood. Their work is made possible with funding from UMass Memorial.

Vu: “Lead exposure is a big problem in Bell Hill. Contamination from paint has left some backyards with levels 500 percent over EPA limits. The biggest danger is bare soil. Kids especially can be poisoned by eating vegetables grown in the soil or from dust inhaled while playing.

“For the past two years, Youth in Charge has employed me to talk about the city’s lead abatement program. We go door-to-door, educating residents about risks associated with lead and helping them to complete remediation paperwork. We also use low-cost landscaping to remove lead from the soil—called phytoremediation—or encapsulate it on pathways.

“This summer, we made a dream come true for a group of women by building a lead-safe community garden at Plumley Village. They water it every day and it’s so beautiful.

“The program has given me an opportunity to step up and get involved in my neighborhood. I gained landscaping skills, wrote successful grant applications and met new people. I have become a leader.”

Sarah Assefa, Worcester Roots Green Co-op Development Coordinator,

“Low income people, including youth, often feel powerless. Through Youth In Charge, we can begin to participate in the decisions that affect our lives and, through community organizing, make a positive change in our neighborhood.”

Youth in Charge statisticsBell Hill teens, ages 14-18 6 employed youth17 youth volunteers23 homes tested for lead70 percent had levels above EPA standards3 backyards were made lead-safe

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterCity of WorcesterPlumley Village Community BuildersPlumley Village Health ServicesSouth High Community SchoolWorcester Carpenters Local #107Worcester Roots ProjectWorcester Tree InitiativeYouthBuild


Lead damages the nervous system and increases learning

disabilities. In Worcester, old housing stock

contributes to high lead blood levels, especially in urban children who live in

poor communities.

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Cultural Disparities Steering CommitteeHealthAlliance HospitalCommunities of Care, Youth & Family CenterFirst Church Unitarian Universalist in LeominsterMassachusetts Rehabilitation CommissionMontachusett Opportunity CouncilMount Wachusett Community CollegeNorth Central Massachusetts Minority CoalitionSpanish American Center

Other HealthAlliance Hospital ProgramsBike helmet distributionHealth insurance and food stamp enrollmentHealthy Families Program to reduce abuse

Patrick L. Muldoon, President and CEO of HealthAlliance Hospital

Partnering with the Community

Job readiness—understanding what is expected in the workplace and having the skills to communicate and perform effectively—is important for anyone seeking long-term employment. But it often has further implications for people with learning, physical or other disabilities who may need special accommodations, training or adaptive tools.

Through a long-standing partnership with the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, a state agency that helps capable disabled individuals to enter the workforce, HealthAlliance Hospital offers on-site training opportunities. The need for increased job placement, particularly for the disabled, was identified through the hospital’s Cultural Disparities Steering Committee.

The program has been a success for both organizations, and perhaps Eleanor Williams, a file clerk in the Human Resources Department of the hospital, sums it up best. “I had been out of work for eight years. I went through the Mass Rehab course and learned interviewing skills, what to look for in an employer and how to prepare a resume. I was then placed in the HR Department at HealthAlliance Hospital for training. Shortly thereafter, I was hired permanently.

“Without Mass Rehab support, I don’t know where I would have been. It helped me to build my self-esteem and confidence, and connected me to HealthAlliance. The hospital employees have made me feel very welcome. It’s a warm family here.”

“We are committed to creating a workforce that reflects our diverse communities and recognizes the value of different talents and skills. Through this partnership, we have learned that individuals with disabilities gain employment as well as a sense of community and social connection.”

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Ana Rodriguez, UMass Memorial Outreach Liaison,

“In Bell Hill, our work always focuses on children and their families. We work with them to promote a stronger connection to their schools, their neighborhood and any services they need.”

Other Bell Hill effortsBell Hill Task ForceBell Pond and Betty Price Playground revitalizationCommunity gardensCrime Watch meetingsESL classesHealth care services Lead safety in homesSchool-based summer camp at Belmont Community School

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterBell Hill Neighborhood AssociationBelmont Community School Belmont Street Baptist ChurchCity View Discovery SchoolCity of Worcester Parks and RecreationUMass Memorial Ronald McDonald Care MobileWorcester East Side Community Development CorporationWorcester Housing AuthorityWorcester Police DepartmentWorcester Public Schools

There used to be an empty lot at the corner of Laurel Street and Eastern Avenue in Worcester. Neighborhood children made it a convenient shortcut on their way to school and it was a hangout for drug dealers.

Today, a play set, flowers and tons of wood chips have replaced the pile of garbage once strewn there. Young trees and new benches make the Betty Price Playground, named for a community activist, a welcoming place for the families of Bell Hill.

The playground is just one of several revitalization efforts coordinated by UMass Memorial outreach liaison Ana Rodriguez to address social determinants of health, to provide access to an outdoor environment and create a source of pride and safety for

Tending the Neighborhood

residents. Her primary area of focus is connecting families to their local school.

By strengthening ties to its principal, teachers and parents, she can open a line of communication to identify a family’s need for additional resources such as dental or medical care, insurance and other support services.

Ms. Rodriguez also enlists the involvement of residents and local organizations. The Belmont Street Baptist Church, with help from Pastor Norberto Soto, now offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes during early evening hours. Residents have established a neighborhood crime watch group and new housing has sprung up on abandoned land.

Seabury Heights Apartments, Belmont Street, Worcester

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Tackling Tobacco

council to toughen the city’s tobacco control ordinances.

“The debate was technically complex and at times contradictory,” said Laurie Ross, HOPE Coalition coordinator. “Students listened to the proceedings, read the news and evaluated the issues. We learned that change is difficult, people take sides and develop their own strategies.” The council gave initial approval, pending public hearings, to bans on tobacco signage, sale of leaf cigarette wraps, and sales in pharmacies and institutes of higher learning. As of this writing, the sale of tobacco products will be banned in Worcester pharmacies, resulting in a 10 percent reduction in the total number of vendors. This advertising ban is the first of its kind nationally.

Advertising is everywhere, and children, from an early age, learn to recognize company logos and products. When Healthy Options for Prevention and Education (HOPE) Coalition members—teens representing Worcester high schools—noticed more tobacco signage popping up in their neighborhoods, they undertook a study and presented results to city councilors.

Using geographic information system (GIS) mapping technology, their research showed that tobacco vendors were concentrated in neighborhoods with the highest number of youth, the lowest median family income and the highest number of minority residents. They also found that many stores were located near schools. Armed with solid statistics, HOPE asked the

Laurie Ross, UMass Memorial HOPE Coalition Coordinator,

“The city’s process really opens teens’ eyes to how change occurs. They discover that it is complex and feel empowered as they participate in discussions of issues that affect them.”

StatisticsAdult smokers in Massachusetts: 10 percentAdult smokers in Worcester: 19 percent250 tobacco vendors in Worcester48 percent display outdoor adsGas stations and convenience stores display the most ads

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterWorcester Department of Public Health

Planting Their Dream

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Sharon Lindgren, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Literacy Coordinator,

“The women’s program evolved from a need for health literacy and nutrition education. They are taking charge of their health by losing weight, eating better and becoming confident accessing health care.”

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterCity of Worcester The Community BuildersPlumley Village Health ServicesPlumley Village Women’s GroupPreservation WorcesterWorcester Roots Project (Youth in Charge)

Other UMass Memorial literacy programsReach Out and ReadTaking Charge of Your Health

Marissa, Evelyn and Vickie are longtime residents of Plumley Village in Worcester, a 430-unit housing complex managed by a nonprofit development corporation, The Community Builders (TCB). As members of the Plumley Village Women’s group, the women meet weekly to exercise together, learn about nutrition and tend their community garden.

Marissa: “I have lived here for 10 years. We often talked about planting a garden but never dreamed it would really happen. We went door-to-door to talk to our neighbors and advertised our plan at the health fair. Everyone wanted to help and some even took home starter plants. Just look at our beautiful tomatoes and cilantro!”

Evelyn: “The garden is wonderful and the ladies enjoy meeting here. We are all city people, and now we’re eating fresh vegetables that we’ve grown ourselves. They taste so much better. It took us about two years to get this project going. Sharon (Lindgren, literacy coordinator) would not let us give up.”

Vickie: “I see the garden every day from my window and when I go out, someone is watering it. We are planning a dinner to share what we’ve grown. Our group also has been walking in the neighborhood. We are mapping a trail (with help from Preservation Worcester) and have learned some surprising things about the historic buildings in our area.”


Without a local supermarket, finding fresh, affordable produce is a challenge in Bell Hill. Community gardens supported by UMass Memorial supply

healthy food and bring neighbors together, creating a sense of pride and shared responsibility.

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Getting Kids Moving

exercise has increased and we exceeded the number of teens we expected to enroll.” One challenge has been to involve younger children, who often lack transportation during the day; however, many enjoyed a successful pilot program of the Y’s Boys/Girls On the Go based at the local Roosevelt School.

These programs are making a difference for entire families. After a single mother and her four children—two teens and two in elementary school—enrolled to lose weight and learn better eating habits, the family lost a total of 24 pounds. They now choose better foods, spend less in the grocery store and focus on portion control, making foods last longer.

When youth come to the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center for a checkup, they just might leave as members of the YMCA Central Branch. With funding from UMass Memorial, free Y memberships are coupled with nutrition counseling at the health center for youth and parents. They learn about getting and staying active, setting healthy weight goals and watching for behaviors that may push them off track.

“Our goal is to increase physical activity and develop healthy eating habits among youth who receive care here,” said Sue Schlotterbeck, the health center’s director of cultural and language services. “Over two years, we’ve seen that the level of interest in

Sue Schlotterbeck, Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center, Director of Cultural and Language Services,

“Youth, especially older teens, are getting more active and parents are seeing healthy changes in their children’s activity level and food choices. That’s inspiring.”

Youth participants154 (ages 13-18) joined the YMCA and attended 3,658 times10 (ages 8-14) joined Boys/Girls On the Go625 (ages 3-24) received nutrition counseling

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterEdward M. Kennedy Community Health CenterWorcester Public SchoolsYMCA of Central Massachusetts

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John O’Brien, President and CEO, UMass Memorial Health Care,

“Coalition building is part of our comprehensive approach to address the social determinants of health that impact the health care of vulnerable populations.”

Other funded healthy weight programsEdward M. Kennedy Community Health CenterPlumley VillageWheels to WaterYMCA of Central MassachusettsYWCA of Central Massachusetts

Other coalition building effortsBell Hill Task ForceCity of Worcester Task Force on Public HealthCommon PathwaysHealthy Options for Prevention and Education (HOPE) CoalitionWorcester Food & Active Living Policy CouncilWorcester Regional Network – Leadership Council MeetingYouth Violence Prevention Coalition

Coalition building offers an opportunity to look at health issues through a wide-angle lens and engage the broader community in decision-making. Through collaborations such as the Pioneering Healthier Communities (PHC) initiative, UMass Memorial and other stakeholders are influencing policy and leveraging resources to achieve community-based system changes.

Worcester is among 118 PHC cities in the country. Backed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and YMCA of the USA, the initiative seeks to eliminate barriers to healthy living through innovative strategies that increase opportunities for physical activity and healthy eating for all residents. The leadership team, co-chaired by John O’Brien, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care, addresses three goals: (1) To help children and families increase awareness of their individual health status by promoting healthy food, physical fitness and educational experiences; (2) to create social and environmental conditions that promote wellness and prevent obesity; and (3) to promote physical activity and healthy eating in the workplace.

The initiative has realized several major accomplishments including developing a one-year plan to promote healthy eating at leadership team organizations, creating an expanded Food Policy Council to promote physical activity at the community level, and increasing access to parks by improving sidewalks.

Focusing on Healthy Weight


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Now Hear This!

olds who are experiencing high frequency hearing loss from military service, loud music, workplace noise and recreational activities,” continued Ms. Stroetzel. “The new technology is perfect for them.”

Hearing aid demonstrations, adjustments and fittings can be scheduled at Wing clinics in Belchertown, Ludlow and Palmer. Specialty items such as swim plugs, noise protectors and musicians’ earplugs are also available.

The program is an important service to this primarily rural area. Over the past 14 months, the centers have provided more than 100 hours of service to the residents of Central and Western Massachusetts, and 165 people have benefitted from no-costaudiology screening.

The Audiology and Hearing Improvement Center of Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers conducts free monthly clinics at its four locations and at four area senior centers.

“We were asked by our local community to provide seniors, especially, with an educational opportunity to ask questions about their communicative needs without pressure to purchase hearing aids,” said Deborah Stroetzel, audiology and hearing coordinator at Wing Memorial. “We conduct screenings, check earwax, test hearing aids and help elders have realistic expectations of what hearing aids can do.”

Medical centers in Palmer and Ludlow offer comprehensive audiologic testing. “We see a lot of baby boomers, 40- to 70-year-

Free audiology clinicsBelchertown Senior CenterLudlow Senior CenterMonson Senior CenterPalmer Senior CenterWing Medical Center – BelchertownWing Medical Center – LudlowWing Medical Center – MonsonWing Medical Center – Wilbraham

Statistics from National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders8.6 percent of American adults have a hearing impairmentDeafness and hard of hearing strongly correlates with age:45-64 years old: 18 percent65-74 years old: 30 percent75 years old: 47 percent

“Many people are undiagnosed or unwilling to address a hearing problem, and that causes isolation and depression. We can improve audibility so they can return to their normal lifestyle.”Deborah Stroetzel, Wing Memorial Audiology and Hearing Coordinator

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The role of UMass Memorial Worcester has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the state. Since 1996, UMass Memorial’s Infant Mortality Reduction Task Force, headed by Marianne Felice, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, has worked to understand underlying risks, particularly among African women.

Infant mortality statistics (Number per 1,000 live births)Worcester rate: 10.8Black: 18.4Hispanic: 12.2Massachusetts rate: 4.9United States rate: 7.0

PartnersCity of Worcester Department of Public HealthEdward M. Kennedy Community Health Center Family Health CenterHealthy Start Initiative Infant Mortality Reduction Task ForceMarch of DimesPernet Family Health ServiceUniversity of Massachusetts Medical School

Jane Kimani, UMass Memorial Case Worker,

“Our patient assessment is comprehensive and we are able to anticipate problems. Mothers say, ‘Thank you so much for doing this for me.’ I feel good when they deliver healthy babies.”

Aidah is an African immigrant and mother of two—a son, 3, and a daughter who was born in the UMass Memorial Medical Center- Memorial Campus.

Aidah: “I came to Worcester with my children about six months ago. Always, my focus is on providing a good foundation for them, giving them better opportunities and teaching them good life values. While living in Kenya, I had the support of a large extended family—my many aunties—but we often lived in fear for our safety.

“Here, I rely on Jane (Kimani, case worker at UMass Memorial). She has guided me through everything: insurance enrollment, setting up appointments and transportation, reviewing important telephone numbers and finding a pediatrician for my son. Jane has even visited me at home. Although I am a second-time mother, I have learned so much about the birth experience and child care at UMass Memorial Community Women’s Care. I am not afraid to ask questions and appreciate that clinic staff carefully explain ways to better care for my family and how to recognize when to seek medical assistance.

“Worcester is a safe and secure place, with a strong African community. I know that my son and daughter will receive the education they need to become an upright man and woman. If they work hard, they can be happy, healthy and live in relative peace.”

Finding Peace

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Matilde Castiel, MD, UMass Memorial Medical Center internist,

“I wouldn’t trade this work for anything else. It has given me the privilege of knowing my patients and I can take an active role in the communities I serve. They see me as one of them.”

Residential clinic statistics558 patientsNearly 2,000 patient visits

Clinic sites in Worcester275 Pleasant Street425 Pleasant Street1050/60 Main StreetBelmont TowerCentro Las AmericasCurran Apartments Hector Reyes HouseLafayette PlaceLincoln Park TowerWellington Apartments

Worcester Housing Authority statistics3,000 housing units40 percent of residents are elderly50-60 percent of elderly are Latino

PartnersUMass Memorial Medical CenterCentro Las AmericasWorcester Housing Authority

For centuries, doctors traveled a circuit, visiting patients in remote areas and getting to know them personally. UMass Memorial internist Matilde Castiel, MD, is doing much the same for isolated elders in eight Worcester public housing sites, as well as those enrolled in programs at Centro Las Americas, a community-based Latino organization, and the Hector Reyes substance abuse recovery home for Latino men.

Armed with a cell phone she monitors 24/7 and an organized schedule, Dr. Castiel commutes to a different clinic every day. “Most patients see me for primary care, but they can call for any health concern. My medical assistant and I take care of everything that is usually handled in a doctor’s office, and we get to know people on a different level.”

These elders need services, but because many cannot read or write, or speak English, they benefit and thrive with care from a Latina bilingual provider. With patience and frequent repetition, even those with limited education can learn how to care for their diabetes, hypertension and other issues affecting their health. Working in residential clinics has the additional advantage of familiarity for both the doctor and patient.

“I see where they live, who is lonely and who doesn’t have food,” said Dr. Castiel. “Last year, we offered a Thanksgiving dinner at one site because many were alone for the holiday. More than 250 people came out just to be in that atmosphere.”

Improving Care for Elders

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Dave McMahon, Co-director,Dismas House,

“UMass Memorial is investing in one of the most at-risk, neglected and maligned groups in Central Massachusetts. Assisting former prisoners in successful transition is a great service to our community and has lasting, positive ripple effects.”

Dismas House 78 participantsCaucasian: 62 percentLatino: 27 percentBlack: 8 percentAverage age: 33 yearsAverage jail time: 5 yearsNumber with mental illness: 27 percentAverage recidivism: 15 percent

Men’s programs funded by UMass Memorial Medical CenterDismas HouseHector Reyes HouseYMCA/Men of Color

Regaining a Healthy Freedom

Each year in Massachusetts, more than 2,000 people are released from prison with nowhere to go. They experience a certain “culture shock” as they return to a community with many freedoms. Their re-entry is often complicated by physical and mental illness, homelessness and substance abuse, making it easy to return to risky behaviors. Without intervention, recidivism is 75 percent at an annual cost to taxpayers of more than $40,000 per person.

As a partner in the Restorative Health Care Initiative, Dismas House is helping motivated former inmates, with a positive record while incarcerated, to disentangle themselves from the legal, housing and employment barriers they face, as well as address their physical and mental health needs. House staff interview residents and develop customized plans including health insurance, medications, transportation and access to other services. Recovery is also assisted through diet. A working farm in Oakham, managed by Dismas House, provides a unique, rural environment where men can raise and eat organic food. A nutritionist encourages residents to make longer-term healthy choices to remain clean and sober, and to quit smoking.

Community programs such as these bring big cost savings and health benefits. At Dismas House, the cost of rehabilitation is more than four times lower per person than prison, and the likelihood of recidivism is reduced five-fold.

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required supporting documents such as birth certificates or social security numbers, and process applications. Interpreters are available. Enrollment services are advertised on posters in doctors’ offices, the hospital lobby, community-based organizations and at community events.

A wide array of programs suits nearly every individual and family situation, and programs continue to expand. In addition to insurance enrollment, financial counselors provide information about food programs (SNAP and WIC). In 2010, more than 2,000 families who were previously without health care, navigated the enrollment process and received coverage with assistance from Marlborough Hospital.

In Massachusetts, having health insurance coverage has been the law since 2006. Although enrollment is 98 percent statewide, there is still a lack of knowledge among the general public. Many think they don’t qualify or can’t afford it, while others have become stalled in the process.

Throughout the UMass Memorial system, the goal of our enrollment program is to find insurance for everyone, regardless of ability to pay. Marlborough Hospital staffs a department seven days a week to enroll the uninsured through Commonwealth Connector, the state health insurance program. Patient financial counselors review eligibility requirements, obtain

Navigating Complex Insurance Enrollment

Patient referrals to:Hospital careVision care and eyeglassesSupplemental Security Income (SSI)SNAP and WIC enrollment

Patient financial counselorsFill out applicationsExplain programs and answer questionsHelp choose the right planHelp identify a physicianHelp qualify for coverageRefer to other support servicesAdvocate to secure follow-up information

Lisa Kennedy, Interim Patient Financial Services Manager, Marlborough Hospital

“It can be an overwhelming process for some people and we are often thanked for assisting. It is wonderful to know that they have the care and coverage they need.”

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UMass Memorial

Medical Center

Clinton Hospital

HealthAlliance Hospital


Wing Memorial Hospital and

Medical Centers

UMass Memorial

Health CareTotal

Licensed Beds (plus bassinets) 781 (69) 41 150 (21) 79 74 1125 (90)

Active Medical Staff 1,222 19 219 198 64 1,722

Registered Nurses 2,186 86 381 194 163 3,010

Employees 9,117 294 1,466 652 837 12,366

Hospital Admissions 42,055 1,357 7,520 4,189 3,816 58,937

Emergency Department Visits 137,795 13,841 60,420 27,782 23,091 262,929

Outpatient Visits 847,713 26,080 264,204 74,237 181,223 1,393,457

Births 3,785 - 1,027 - - 4,812

LifeFlight Transfers - - - - 1,343

as of September 30, 2010

The University of Massachusetts Medical School and its clinical partner, UMass Memorial Health Care, share the common goal of serving the region through excellence in clinical care, education, research and public service. Through this relationship, our staff teaches tomorrow’s health care professionals.

The School of Medicine plays a critical role in training physicians for the Commonwealth, and provides continuing education to primary care physicians and specialists. The Graduate School of Nursing prepares registered professional and advanced practice nurses for faculty, research and other nursing leadership position. The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences trains students in research with direct relevance to human disease.

UMass Memorial Health Care By the Numbers

University of Massachusetts Medical School students attending the 2010 Second Year Oath Ceremony

1,343

Community Benefits Staff

UMass Memorial Medical CenterMónica LowellVice President, Community Relations

Clinton HospitalRosa Fernandez-PeñalozaManager, Community Benefits/Interpreter Service

HealthAlliance HospitalMary Lourdes BurkeVice President, Planning, Marketing and Public Relations

Marlborough HospitalSuzanne ParsonsVice President of Human Resources

Wing Memorial Hospitals and Medical CenterWilliam Russo-AppelDirector of Marketing and Public Relations

Photo Credits

Front cover, page 2, 8, 9, 12 and 16:

Dany Pelletier

Inside front cover: Courtesy of LifeFlight

Page 1: View of UMass Memorial,

Rob Zeleniak

Page 4: Courtesy of Worcester Youth

Center, Jon Bettinger photographer

Page 5, 6 and 14: Courtesy of the

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Page 7, 11, 15, 17, 19 and back cover:

Dreamstime.com

Page 10: Group photo, courtesy of the

United Way of Central MA

Page 13: Courtesy of the YMCA of

Central Massachusetts

Page 18: Courtesy of Dismas House

Page 20: Courtesy of University of

Massachusetts Medical School

Inside back cover: Courtesy of


Safe Summer Fun Day at Marlborough Hospital


UMass Memorial Health Care is the largest not-for-profit health care system in

Central Massachusetts with 1,700 physicians and more than 13,000 employees.

Our member hospitals, all fully accredited by The Joint Commission, are:

• Clinton Hospital • HealthAlliance Hospital • Marlborough Hospital

• UMass Memorial Medical Center • Wing Memorial Hospital and Medical Centers

UMass Memorial Health Care, Biotech One, 365 Plantation Street, Worcester, MA 01605

Tel: 508-334-1000 www.umassmemorial.org

Dear UMass Memorial:

Your support for the Plumley Village Garden was invaluable. Our 24 families are harvesting

basil, tomatoes, eggplant and more! Thank you for helping us to build a place of community,

nutrition, beauty and peace. -Youth in Charge, Worcester Roots Project

umass memorial health care community benefits report 2010...$23.7 m community benefits total $103.7...

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